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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-29-2004-1ASSEMBLY OF GOVERNMENTS AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 29, 2004 SUBJECT: Assembly of Governments Discussion Items DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): As Hated in "Background" section INFORMATION CONTACT: Rod Visser or Greg Wilder, ext 2300 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To discuss topics of mutual interest among the governing boards of Orange County and the'rowns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. BACKGROUND: Solid Waste Matters -Three Year Solid Waste Plan Update; Proposed Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling Fee Local governments were required to submit three year updates of their State-mandated solid waste management plans as of June 30, 2003. Orange County requested and received an extension of this timeline. The governing boards of Orange County, Carrboro, and Hillsborough have reviewed and given conceptual approval to the proposed plan update. The Chapel Hill Town Council recently reviewed the plan update and requested additional information and analysis of some of the plan implications. This AOG meeting provides an opportunity for discussion about the plan update. For many years, the County and Towns have recognized and discussed the need for supplemental revenue to continue to operate the waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs that have thus far produced a 45 percent per capita reduction since the early 1990s in solid waste landfilled. Working with direction from the BOCG, with consultation from the Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) and assistance from the Institute of Government, County staff have developed a proposed structure for areduction/reuse/recycling (3R) fee that would be implemented far the 2004-05 fiscal year. Staff will present a brief explanation of the rationale for and mathematical calculations that have led to the proposed four-tiered fee structure, which was recommended for approval by the SWAB at their April 8, 2004 meeting. Details of the proposed fee program are provided in the accompanying staff report. Attachment 1a - 4/13/04 Orange County Commissioners Agenda Item on "Proposed Waste Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling Fee" OWASA Water Reuse OWASA has been investigating for some time the passibility of water reuse. OWASA has provided various materials for review prior to the meeting and will be providing a short presentation at the meeting. It should also be noted that Dan Okun has also discussed making a few comments at the meeting regarding water reuse. Attachment 2a - 04/20/04 Letter w/aftarhments from OWASA Executive Director Ed Kerwin 3. Presentation_on_Report from Council for a Sustainable Community In the attached letter to BOCC Chair Barry .lacobs, the Council for a Sustainable Community (CSC) has requested an opportunity to address the Assembly of Governments meeting. It is staffs understanding that CSC will be providing background materials to elected officials either through a separate package or at the meeting. Attachment 3a - 02/22/04 CSC Letter to BOCC Chair Barry Jacobs 4. Air Quality and Biodiesel On April 15, 2004, communities in eight Triangle counties were designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as "non-attainment" far ozone pollution. The designation is based on a new, stricter federal standard for air quality. Triangle communities have already begun to take actions and to put programs in place to improve our air quality and attain the new standard, A list of actions involving Triangle communities and organizations is provided as Attachment 4a. A list of air quality recommendations from the Greater Triangle Regional Council is provided as Attachment 4b. The current activities to improve air quality in Orange County include: • a joint Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Action Plan (County-Chapel Hill-Carrbora); • a local Ground-level Ozone Strategies Assessment (Orange County Commission far the Environment); • the purchase of alternative fuel and low-emission vehicles (County and Town of Chapel Hill). It should also be noted that Dr. Bo Lozoff is scheduled to make a short presentation at the meeting on biodiesel use. Dr. Lozoff has provided some background materials for review in preparation far his comments. Attachment 4a -Triangle Region Air Quality Initiatives Attachment 4b -Greater Triangle Regional Council Air Quality Recommendations Attachment 4c -Information from Dr Bo Lozoff 5. Transportation Funding Options The Regional Transportation Strategy study that was completed in 2000 compiled all current plans for transportation improvements in the region and concluded that, in addition to the 3 planned $7.7 billion (predominantly federal and state funded) investment in improvements aver the next 25 years, local and regional agencies will need to raise an additional $10 billion ($680- million per year) for unfunded improvements identified in regional plans. The objective of the study was to develop a regional long-term transportation strategy including cost estimates and funding options. The Regional Transportation Strategy team supports local transportation revenue legislation that would include both a sales tax on motor fuel and an increase in vehicle registration fees, two of the many regional funding options identified in the study. Other local revenue options identified in the study included rental car tax, property tax, occupancy tax, real estate transfer tax, impact fees and unobligated bonds. A strategy for funding transportation projects is a regional priority to ensure continued federal transportation funding and a high quality of life far the area. The Environmental Protection Agency has designated eight counties, including Orange County, in the Chapel Hill-Durham- Raleigh area, as non-attainment areas far the new 8-hour ozone standard. Transportation plans for those areas must demonstrate conformity with air quality requirements, and must include reasonable revenue sources for implementing the plans. The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), approved for air quality conformity (under the "old" standard) by the DCHC Transportation Advisory Committee in June 2003, includes a 5% motor fuel tax and a $20.00 increase in vehicle registration fees as new revenue sources to make up the shortfall between projected traditional revenue sources and revenue needed for plan projects. Funding for transportation projects is a problem in other areas of the state and North Carolina has established a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the unique mobility needs of urban areas in North Carolina including innovative financing approaches to mitigate urban congestion and local revenue options. Attachment 5a - 04/15/04 "News and Observer" Transit Funding Article Attachment 5b - 04/f 9/04 `News and Observer" Transportation Funding Editorial 6. Update on Work Resulting from Economic Development Summit At its planning retreat for FY2003, the Orange County Economic Development Commission (EDC) committed to prepare a strategic plan to guide EDC work aver the next five years (the previous plan was completed in 1996). To begin the process, the EDC held an economic summit on .January 7, 2004 attended by over 120 citizens, business professionals, elected officials and entrepreneurs. Building on visions previously articulated by town and county entities, as well as an on-line survey conducted by the EDC, summit participants examined criteria and specific strategies for economic development. A summary of the Summit proceedings is shown in Attachment 6a. Based on small group work, participants identified four key themes, with work groups farmed around each to develop strategies, action steps, and implementation plans by July 1, 2004. The elements included in the scope of the four work groups are as follows: Strateoies to Create a More Friendly Business Climate - Criteria for a desirable business in Orange County; regulatory issues; outreach to and support for existing businesses; actions needed to improve the local business climate for farmers; packaging positive economic, social 4 and environmental aspects of business; marketing to new companies that meet the county's desired criteria. Strategies to Plan the Necessary Physical Infrastructure and Land Use -Physical infrastructure issues for the Economic Development Districts and other commercially zoned areas; transportation, including road improvements and alternatives to passenger cars; information networks; land use strategies related to economic development and mixed use projects. Strategies to Support and Develop the County's Workforce -Training and education, including partnerships with Durham Tech, UNC, and Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Orange County school systems; access to transportation, child care, and affordable housing; access to living wages, health care, and a continuum of social services. Strategies to Develop and Sustain Quality of Place -Issues of tolerance and diversity; strong downtowns; preservation of open space and farmland; excellent educational offerings across all age groups; clean environment; active and passive recreation opportunities; vibrant arts and culture scene; appealing spaces for casual and formal interaction. All four work groups have been meeting regularly since the Summit. A summary of each group's statement of overall strategy and key sub-elements is shown in Attachment 6b. The groups are now turning their attention to developing the action items required to realize the strategy. Next week the co-chairs of each work group will meet with the EDC Chair and staff to assess progress, to make sure there is consistency across work groups with little overlap, and to ensure there are no gaps. We will also be discussing how to coordinate this effort with the Council for a Sustainable Community's work. Attachment 6a -Proceedings of the Orange County Economic Development Summit Attachment 6b - Summary of Strategic Visioning Work Groups 7. Update on Orange County Land-Use Plan Outreach The County's Planning and Inspections Department conducted township meetings during March and April to receive public input on staffs ideas for the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element Update. The final township meeting was held April 28`h in the Hillsborough Township. The next step in the process will be to compile the information obtained during the outreach process into a report for review by the County's Planning Board and Board of County Commissioners. The report will include, among other items, a summary of the advertising campaign, questions and comments raised by meeting participants; and where relevant to the Land Use Element, detailed responses to citizen's questions. The report will be completed in May and will be made available to citizens for review and comment. During June and .July, the Planning Department will recompile policy choices for the Land Use Element based on comments received during the outreach process and will work toward meeting a proposed Public Hearing date of August 23, 2004. Following Public Hearing, the Planning Board will make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration later this year. The attached table provides a brief summary of the informal and formal input process for the Land Use Element Update. Copies of the PowerPoint slide presentations used at each of the township meetings are available on the Planning Department's website, under the Comprehensive Planning Division, www.co.orange. nc.us/planning. Attachment 7a -Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element Update -Informal and Formal Input Process, 1990-1994 8. Report on Town/County/District Staff Progress on Coordinating School Planning In light of the importance of land use planning in this community and the heightened need for timely and orderly provision of educational facilities required by the School Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance machinery, governing board members have noted the need to engage both school systems, the municipalities, and the County in a comprehensive school siting process. Unlike our historical practices, such a process would bring to bear the considerable planning and information resources of the County and Towns. Planning entities could work in partnership with the school boards, employing growth models and student population projections to identify specific parcels or areas best suited for siting future schools, Staff will be prepared to make a brief report on this topic at this AOG meeting. Attachment 8a - 12/03 TJCOG Document - "Smart Growth and Schools" 9. Informational Items At the request of various elected officials, background materials on the fallowing topics are provided simply far informational purposes. Staffs can follow up on any questions that may be generated from review of these documents. a. Parks Update (Southern Community Park, Homestead Aquatics Center, Twin Creeks Park) Orange County staff has provided the attached update on the Park projects noted above. Attachment 9a -Assembly of Governments April 29, 2004 Parks Update b. Variations In Affordable Housing Requirements And Formulas By Jurisdiction Information and materials for this item will be provided at the Assembly of Governments meeting, c. Carrboro Library Task Force Report The BOCC, at its meeting on April 20, received the final report of the Carrboro Library Workgroup Force and directed the County Manager to refer a revised agreement for the McDaugle Branch Library to the County Attorney, to move forward with implementing the Cybrary at the Century Center in conjunction with the Town of Carrboro, and refer the recommendation regarding afree-standing Carrboro library in the Carrboro central business district to the newly-reconstituted Library Services Task Farce, A copy of the agenda abstract containing the Work Group report is attached for review and reference, Attachment 9c - 4/20/04 Orange County Commissioners Agenda Item on "Carrboro Library Work Group Report" d. Orange County Animal Shelter On April 20, the BOCC authorized action steps for the transition of the Orange County Animal Shelter operation from the Animal Protection Society (APS) to a new bureau or department reporting to the Ccunty Manager, effective July 1, 2QQ4. A copy of the agenda abstract outlining the recommendations of the Animal Shelter Operations Task Force and the transition process is attached far review and reference. Two contract decisions -Animal Control and Emergency After-hours Response -with the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro are pending further analysis and negotiation, Attachment 9d - 4/20/04 Orange County Commissioners Agenda Item on `Authorize Action Steps for the Transition of the Orange County Animal Shelter Operation" e. Outstanding County Program Awards (Orange County Solid Waste and Planning) Chair Barry Jacobs will share information on Outstanding County Program Awards recently received by the County, No Attachments FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with discussion of these topics. There are no action items requiring formal Board decisions, RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Boards discuss the topics listed and provide appropriate direction to the respective staffs,